The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-27
TIKI HIBLlID RAILROAD
GREAT SUCCESS IN PROCURING
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
An Interview With Judge 7. J.
Latham and DR.. Porter-Very
Gratifying Results.


Memphis were making private sub
scriptions to the capital stock OF the
Tennessee Midland Railway Company,
aad that there was something like an
o1an zed movement on foot TO pro-
mote the enterprise, an APPEAL re-
porter arted ont in quest Of infol ma
ton. He soon ascertained that Judge
T. j. Latham was actively soliciting
subscriptions, and he at once started
on q hunt for that ubiquitous gentle
man. When he was overtaken and
requested TO stand and deliver what
information he had on the subject, the
Judge said: "Several IN Jnths sgo
committee was appointed by meet
ing OF business men to canvass for
subscriptions to the Tennessee Mid
land. The operations Of the commit
tee were suspended, whom the appli-
cation for subscription to the county
was under discussion. That applica-
ton having been withdTa Tn, the COM
mittee baJ gone 10 work. As chair
man of the committee l am doing
what can. / am for the Tennessee
Midland, and have believed from the
start that its construction would do
more for Memphis than any railroad
that could ever be built. We want
more manufactures and more indus
tries, and these the Tennessee Mid
land will give us. We
want direct connection with
the other portions OF the State and
this 1t will secure US. The Memphis,
Birmingham aud Atlantic will give us
direct connection with the coal and
iron OF Aatama, and we want com.
petlng line to the coal and iron OF
Tennessee, aud this the Midland will
give US. We want timber for our
wood yards, limestone for our streets
and marble for our but dings, and it
will give us all these. / WIS in favor
of the county subscribing, but come Of
our best cilizens hlving opposed
county subscription i now favor indi-
viduals subscribing, Itave subscribed
myself, and now want my neighbors
TO Join me. l have no interest in the
matter except ss citizen who wishes
Memphis well. All my investments
have been made in Memphis, and all
/ have got Is here. believe will be
benefited by helping the enterprise,
and am doing all l can"
swell, jude, VIA success are you
meeting withp"
GAS good as 4 expected" replied the
Judge. 81 have only canvassed in
company with friend for a few hours.
Many OF our business men were a5-
sent or gone to the races, and 1t will
require several days to zee them all.
1 feel confident Memphis will do her
part, judging by the success we have
had today. la q few hours we raised
about $23, 000."
In reply TO questions put by the re.
porter, the judge said ths terms OF
the subscriptions were that they we're
to become due and payable when the
road Is constructed and put in opera.
ton from Memphis to the Tennessee
river. The company was anxious to
identity the people OF Memphis with
the enterprise, and any subscriber de-
eiring to invest money in the conslruc-
ton Of the road can do 80 on equal
terms.
| DIR. PORTER.
Learning that DR.. Porter was one OIL
the subscribers, the reporter called on
that gentleman. DIR. Porter, in reply
to his. inquiries, said: at is true ]
made a subscription to the capital
stock OF the Tennessee Midland. do
not wish it to be understood that be.
cause l opposed a county subscription
am opposed to the road. Tue truth
Is l believe the road will do great
deal for Memphis. and l want TO see il
built, and am willing, individually, to
help 1t, l think GU business men
should all assist il and do all they can
to secure Its construction. lam willing
TO do my part" When asked why he
opposed county subscription, the
doctor said: 1T lived in Fayette
county or in any OF the counties east
OF Memphis, / would favor a county
subscription. A committee from Jack
son waited on me several weeks aga
and wanted my opinion about the pro.
priety OF the city OF Jackson snbicib.
ing. told them II lived In Jacks IN
l would vote for the sHbscri ption, but
was opposed tn it in Memphis or Shel.
by county. My reason for taking this
position Ia that do not want to lei
the raj down, Now, FAyette county
for example, might make sub,crip.
ton to the Tennessee Midi and AID a
similar application might not be made
in forty years. Bat II we were to votI
II here there would be no end Il
evsry kind Of applications for sub Grip
tons. The bars would bs down sgsir
and we might never hear the last Of it
/ explained all thie to Mr.. Leake, AZ
told him stood ready rs an indiv du
al to help his road. l believe TIA
Memphis will do her pat"
! The reporter talked 10 o her lead NJ
citizens, and became ga /, led that th,
Tennessee Midland was at last on tn
right track SO far as Memphis is con
, l